My bank offered a 0% balance transfer but I chose the higher interest personal loan instead.

The loan had a $5,000 limit and forced me to pay it off in 24 months, which stopped me from just running up the cards again. Anyone ever take the harder option just to force their own hand?

4 comments

4 Comments

jennybailey1mo ago

Real self-awareness" feels a bit heavy for a loan choice, charlie198. It's just picking a payment plan, not therapy.

zaranelson18d ago

Oh absolutely, I'm right there with you. I did the same thing a few years back and it felt like the most boring, adult decision I ever made. But honestly, it saved me from myself because I know I would have dragged it out forever and spent way too much on interest. It's just knowing your own weaknesses and working around them like a normal person, not some deep philosophical breakthrough. Makes total sense to me.

charlie1981mo ago

Choosing the harder path shows real self-awareness. The structure of a forced payoff can be the only way to break a bad cycle. Good on you for knowing what you actually needed.

alexpalmer1mo ago

Yeah, the forced payoff thing is real. Sometimes you need that lock on your own wallet to make it stick. Been there.